Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Tim 4:12-16
Beloved: Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate. Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 111:7-8, 9, 10 (R. 2)
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity. R.
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name. R.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
prudent are all who live by it.
His praise endures forever. R.
Gospel – Lk 7:36-50
A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Featured Saints
St. Joseph of Cupertino, priest (†1663). Religious from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual of Osimo (Italy). Although little endowed with natural gifts, he was, nonetheless, favoured with extraordinary mystical graces.
St. Dominic Trach, priest and martyr (†1840). Arrested during the religious persecution in Vietam, he succeeded, while in prison, in leading St. Thomas Toán back to the Faith which he had abandoned out of weakness. Defying threats and torture, he refused to tread upon a cross e was decapitated.
St. Ferreolus, martyr (†third century). Roman tribune in the city of Vienne (France), he was imprisoned during the time of persecution, tortured, and finally decapitated for refusing to arrest Christians.
St. Richardis (†895). Spouse of Holy Roman Emperor Charles III. After her husband’s death, she retired to the monastery of Andlau, which she had founded.
Blesseds Fernando García Sendra and José García Mas, priests and martyrs (†1936). Captured and executed during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Joseph Kut, priest and martyr (†1942). Polish priest, imprisoned and tortured in Dachau concentration camp, where he died.
Blessed David Okelo and Gildo Irwa, martyrs (†1918). Two youths speared with lances in a village in northern Uganda for having proclaimed the Gospel to their people.
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